The 1986 Plymouth Turismo came from an era when compact front-wheel-drive hatchbacks balanced everyday practicality with sharp, angular styling that still feels distinctly mid-1980s. For owners preserving one today, the tire decision is usually less about decoding multiple factory fitments and more about choosing the right look and road manners for the car’s original character. The 1986 Plymouth Turismo uses a 185/80R13 radial on a 13-inch rim. Within that size, available choices include narrow and wide whitewall treatments across Maxxis, BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial, and Coker Classic Star Series offerings. That makes it important to match the tire not just to size, but also to the presentation and driving use you want from the car.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1986 Plymouth Turismo
The 1986 Plymouth Turismo uses one primary tire size: 185/80R13, and it is a radial fitment on a 13-inch rim. The Turismo Base uses that same size, so the main decision is not between multiple fitments, but between the available radial tire choices, sidewall styling, and the overall look you want on the car.
A 185/80R13 tire is a metric radial size in which 185 represents the nominal section width in millimeters, 80 is the aspect ratio, R denotes radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1986 Plymouth Turismo, that means a modern radial fitment rather than an older bias-ply sizing system. Available choices in this size include Maxxis, BFGoodrich, and Coker Classic products, with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall sidewall styles across series such as Maxxis Radial, Silvertown Radial, and Star Series. The right choice depends on whether your Turismo is being kept more stock in appearance, tailored toward a cleaner vintage style, or prepared for regular road use.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1986 Plymouth Turismo sub-models. The shared size keeps the main focus on selecting the radial tire style and appearance that best suits the car rather than sorting through different fitments.
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1986 Plymouth Turismo Base
The 1986 Plymouth Turismo Base uses the same 185/80R13 radial fitment as the model core. That keeps tire selection centered on sidewall appearance, brand preference, and wheel-condition confirmation rather than sorting through multiple size options.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1986 Plymouth Turismo Tires for Sale
Available 185/80R13 tires for the 1986 Plymouth Turismo include Maxxis, BFGoodrich, and Coker Classic options. The main differences in the product grid are sidewall style, tire series, load specification, and rim-width compatibility where stated.
These FAQs focus on the 1986 Plymouth Turismo’s 185/80R13 fitment, 13-inch wheel compatibility, available radial tire choices, sidewall appearance options, and the checks worth making before putting a collector-era compact back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1986 Plymouth Turismo?
The 1986 Plymouth Turismo uses a 185/80R13 radial tire. That is the primary fitment for this model, and the 1986 Plymouth Turismo Base uses the same size as well.
That makes the next decision less about size and more about choosing the right tire within that fitment. Sidewall style, brand, tire series, and wheel condition all matter, especially on an older car that may have changed hands several times or received replacement wheels over the years.
What size rim does a 1986 Plymouth Turismo use?
The 1986 Plymouth Turismo uses a 13-inch rim with its 185/80R13 tire fitment. The tire’s final number, 13, corresponds to the wheel diameter the tire is built to mount on.
Wheel diameter should be confirmed on the car before ordering tires, especially if the Turismo has aftermarket wheels or a prior owner changed the setup. Diameter is only part of the picture, so wheel width and overall clearance are also worth checking before committing to a specific tire.
Does the 1986 Plymouth Turismo Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1986 Plymouth Turismo Base uses the same 185/80R13 radial tire size as the model core. There is no separate sub-model fitment to sort through here.
That consistency simplifies replacement, but it does not remove the need to inspect the actual wheels on the car. A Turismo that has been modified, restored with non-original wheels, or sitting for long periods may still need a closer check before selecting among the available 185/80R13 tire options.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 185/80R13 tire for a 1986 Plymouth Turismo?
Start with the correct 185/80R13 size and confirm that the tire matches the 13-inch wheel on the car. After that, the main comparison points are radial construction, sidewall style, brand, tire series, and product specifications such as load figure and approved rim-width range where stated.
A Turismo kept close to its original personality may call for a different visual treatment than one built mainly for casual road use or show presentation. It also helps to inspect wheel width, suspension condition, and tire clearance so the chosen tire suits the actual car, not just the catalog fitment.
What sidewall styles are available for 1986 Plymouth Turismo tires?
The available 185/80R13 tires for a 1986 Plymouth Turismo include both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. That gives the car two clearly different visual directions even while staying within the correct tire size.
A narrow whitewall tends to keep the look cleaner and more restrained, while a wide whitewall creates a stronger vintage visual statement. Since sidewall treatment changes the character of the car at a glance, many owners choose that appearance first and then compare brand, series, and wheel-width requirements.
What brands offer tires for the 1986 Plymouth Turismo?
185/80R13 tires for the 1986 Plymouth Turismo are available from Maxxis, BFGoodrich, and Coker Classic. The applicable series include Maxxis Radial, Silvertown Radial, and Star Series, all in radial construction.
Brand choice should be weighed alongside sidewall styling and fitment details rather than treated as the only decision. Two tires may share the same size but differ in whitewall presentation, stated load figure, or rim-width range, so comparing the full product details is the best way to narrow the options.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1986 Plymouth Turismo?
A period-style approach for a 1986 Plymouth Turismo starts with the correct 185/80R13 radial size and then moves to the tire’s visual presentation. In this fitment, the most visible distinction is sidewall style, with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall options available.
The right choice depends on how closely the car is being restored and what kind of look suits its trim, stance, and overall finish. When exact originality matters, it is wise to compare against marque references, older photographs, or surviving examples rather than assuming any current sidewall treatment was factory-issued.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1986 Plymouth Turismo restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1986 Plymouth Turismo restoration because size has a major effect on stance, wheel appearance, and how faithfully the car presents itself. Staying with the proper 185/80R13 radial size helps preserve the intended visual proportion of the car.
Appearance is only part of the equation. A restoration-minded tire choice should also account for wheel condition, suspension wear, and whether the car still carries its original wheel setup, since those details influence how the finished vehicle sits and how confidently it can be driven after the work is done.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1986 Plymouth Turismo?
Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1986 Plymouth Turismo even when the correct replacement size is 185/80R13. Changes to wheels, ride height, springs, or body clearance can alter how much room the tire has once mounted and loaded.
A Turismo with aftermarket wheels should have its actual wheel diameter and width checked before tire selection. Steering clearance, fender clearance, and suspension travel are also worth verifying so the chosen tire suits the car as it sits now, not just how it left the factory decades ago.
What should I inspect before driving a 1986 Plymouth Turismo on new tires?
Before driving a 1986 Plymouth Turismo on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm proper mounting on the 13-inch rims, and set tire pressure to the tire and vehicle requirements being followed. It is also smart to check lug hardware, valve stems, and general suspension condition.
An older compact that has been parked for long periods can have problems beyond the tires themselves. Look for rubbing marks, alignment issues, leaking shocks or struts, and any signs that previous tires wore unevenly, since those clues often point to underlying issues that should be corrected before regular road use.
How should 185/80R13 tires on a collector 1986 Plymouth Turismo be maintained?
185/80R13 tires on a collector 1986 Plymouth Turismo should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and periodic movement of the car to reduce the effects of long stationary storage. Sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and unexplained air loss deserve prompt attention.
Storage conditions matter as much as mileage on low-use vehicles. Keeping the Turismo away from prolonged sun exposure, excess heat, standing moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve tire condition, while occasional close inspection helps catch age-related deterioration that may not be obvious from tread depth alone.
